5 The fifth means to do good to the Church,1 is this, Let us do it with continuance: It may be while the news is fresh we will be fervent in prayer; but often the news altereth, and sometimes it happens to be good, and then we leave off: But this must not be; we must be constant in this duty, to the very uttermost end of all; there may be ebbs and flowings, but it is the last issue which brings all: therefore let us continue in this duty of fasting and praying, that we may try that last issue of all. It is the common fashion to make the afflictions of the Church only a wonder of nine days. This was the Jews fault, Jer. 34. 10, 11. When they heard of their enemies, for a while they would pray. But although the news be good, yet still continue as the importunate widow did to the Judge, and your importunity will move God. Set therefore to it, and continue in it; Pray for Jerusalem, let those prosper that love her peace, Psalm. 122. 6. Mourn apart, every family apart: It is not enough to hear this, and to let the ⟨p. 37⟩Ministers voice be to you as one that singeth with a pleasant voice: Thus were the Prophets to the Jews, Ezek. 33. 32. Who heard his words, but did not do them: and therefore God tells them that they shall be destroyed in the judgment. The devil will suffer you to purpose and purpose to do this duty,2 but keeps you from the execution of it, and present practice, which is that only which may do the deed. Consider it therefore, and defer not the present doing of this duty: what can you do better than to deliver Gods Church, and you may do it, although you be poor and despised, yet being Gods Saints, your prayers are in force with God; as in Eccles. 9. 14, 15. the poor man delivered the city by his wisdom; he was poor and despised, yet it was he that delivered it. Others may seem to do much, and stand vaunting on the hatches, but it is the Saints that do it. If there be any consideration of Christ in you, if any love, any grace, any well-wishing to the Church, pray for it: this is that I fear, you will purpose to do it, but will defer it; but, beloved, the doing only God regards. We, when we read how much Alexander, Caesar, and the like, did, we admire them; why we may do more by our prayers, performed in a right manner: if you do it, either the Church shall be delivered, and you shall have comfort;
5 The fifth meanes to doe good to the Church,1 is this, Let us doe it with continuance: It may be while the newes is fresh wee will bee fervent in prayer; but often the newes altereth, and sometimes it happens to be good, and then wee leave off: But this must not be; wee must bee constant in this dutie, to the very uttermost end of all; there may be ebbs and flowings, but it is the last issue which brings all: therefore let us continue in this dutie of fasting and praying, that wee may trie that last issue of al. It is the common fashion to make the afflictions of the Church onely a wonder of nine dayes. This was the Jewes fault, Ier. 34. 10, 11. When they heard of their enemies, for a while they would pray. But although the newes bee good, yet still continue as the importunate widow did to the Judge, and your importunitie will move God. Set therefore to it, and continue in it; Pray for Ierusalem, let those prosper that love her peace, Psalm. 122. 6. Mourne apart, every familie apart: It is not enough to heare this, and to let the ⟨p. 37⟩Ministers voyce be to you as one that singeth with a pleasant voyce: Thus were the Prophets to the Jewes, Ezek. 33. 32. Who heard his words, but did not doe them: and therefore God tells them that they shall be destroyed in the judgment. The divel will suffer you to purpose and purpose to doe this dutie,2 but keepes you from the execution of it, and present practice, which is that onely which may doe the deed. Consider it therefore, and deferre not the present doing of this dutie: what can you doe better than to deliver Gods Church, and you may doe it, although you be poore and despised, yet being Gods Saints, your prayers are in force with God; as in Eccles. 9. 14, 15. the poore man delivered the citie by his wisedome; hee was poore and despised, yet it was hee that delivered it. Others may seeme to doe much, and stand vaunting on the hatches, but it is the Saints that doe it. If there be any consideration of Christ in you, if any love, any grace, any well-wishing to the Church, pray for it: this is that I feare, you will purpose to doe it, but will deferre it; but, beloved, the doing onely God regards. Wee, when we reade how much Alexander, Caesar, and the like, did, we admire them; why we may doe more by our prayers, performed in a right manner: if you doe it, either the Church shall bee delivered, and you shall have comfort;
- 1With Continuance.
- 2The Devils cunning to defer men from doing good Duties.The Divels cunning to deferre men from doing good Duties.
